School system's finance chief retiring after 14 years

Kerry Shannon, chief finance officer for Henderson County Public Schools, will be retiring later this month after 14 years with the district.

MIKE DIRKS/TIMES-NEWS

By Nancy TankerTimes-News Staff Writer

Published: Friday, June 14, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, June 13, 2013 at 4:57 p.m.

Admitting that she's somewhat of a “workaholic,” Kerry Shannon, finance director for Henderson County Public Schools for the last 14 years, says she's ready to put down her spreadsheets and travel the world a bit with her husband when she retires later this month.

Describing her husband, Gary Droghini, as an Italian French-Canadian from Montreal, Canada, Shannon says she's been working hard to learn French in anticipation of a trip to Canada once she hands over the financial reigns to her replacement, incoming Finance Director Bernie Sochia.

Shannon and her husband, a talent and development manager at Coats North America in Laurel Park, also are looking forward to a trip to Ireland in 2014, where they honeymooned 10 years ago.

“I've had a lot of good moments over the years,” Shannon said about working in the school system. “I just appreciate being able to have the opportunity to do something for the students and teachers.”

Assistant Superintendent Bill Parker said Shannon is “a quality person who is very capable in her job” and “doesn't shy away from difficult tasks, always keeping the students' best interest in front of all decisions. She also is quite the stage actress which, at times, kept those of us around her entertained.”

It can be difficult to maintain a connection with teachers and students as an employee who's not involved in the day-to-day operations at any particular school, but instead is responsible for the finances of the district as a whole, operating from the central office on 4th Avenue in Hendersonville.

For that reason, “When the school board has its visits to the schools (every month) — those times give me a lift,” Shannon said. “Those are the high spots.”

During school visits, Shannon can see the results of her hard work on the faces of teachers and children.

“We try not to get ourselves too removed from the students and teachers,” she said. “They are our ultimate customers, but sometimes it's like trying to see the forest through the trees.”

Shannon said the 2010-11 school year was particularly hard from a financial standpoint, when the county requested that schools cut their budgets by 7.5 percent.

“It was tough,” she said. “But one of the things I am most proud of is that we were able to save teachers' jobs, despite the fact that 80 percent of our budget goes to salaries and benefits. We have managed our budget so that we have had very few layoffs compared with other school systems. We were careful with our money and were able to use the state funds in the most efficient manner possible, to conserve local funds. I'm proud of that.

“For the amount of local funds spent on public education in Henderson County, the taxpayers are getting a big bang for their buck, in my opinion,” Shannon added. “I am amazed at the professionalism, work ethic and dedication of our teachers, administrators and support staff at Henderson County Public Schools.”

Originally from Kentucky, Shannon came to North Carolina to attend Wake Forest University.

“I liked it so much, I stayed,” she said. “I lived in Winston-Salem for about 19 years, then, after a few years in Fayetteville, moved to Western North Carolina in 1995.”

Shannon said she's always had an affinity for finance.

“I suppose I have always been good at numbers and I must admit that I really enjoy working with them,” she said. “In a world that is so full of grey areas, to me numbers are always black and white and never lie to you. I find that comforting.”

Superintendent David Jones said Shannon always wants to “make sure that everything is done correctly and that appropriate resources are provided for the benefit of our students. She has worked to ensure that we make the most out of the funds we have received” from the state.

“It has been wonderful working with Kerry,” he added. “She is a great finance officer, but she is also a great person who has a delightful personality.”

Jones said Shannon is “a perfectionist. She wants to make sure that everything is done correctly and that appropriate resources are provided for the benefit of our students... She has been a very valuable employee and her contributions have helped our school district be recognized as one of the best in the state of North Carolina.”

As for Shannon's future, in addition to travel she plans to focus on her biggest hobby: acting.

“I began acting in high school at the Jenny Wiley Theatre, a professional theater in my hometown of Prestonsburg, Ky.,” she said. “Since moving to Western North Carolina, I've appeared in several productions, mainly in Asheville at the Asheville Community Threatre, but also in Hendersonville at the Hendersonville Little Theatre and the Grace Centre.”

Shannon also plans to spend more time with her husband and two stepsons — Richard, 21, who just finished his junior year at Vanderbilt University, and Matthew, 18, who will be starting his freshman year at the University of South Carolina this fall. Shannon met her husband 13 years ago while attending the Vision Henderson County leadership development program.

After being diagnosed with breast cancer in late 2010 and undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments, Shannon said she is “doing great” now.

“But going through something like that gives you a new perspective and makes you realize how precious each day is,” she said. “So I decided it was time to start concentrating on other things besides work... I'm feeling really good. I'm trying to enjoy life.”

<p>Admitting that she's somewhat of a “workaholic,” Kerry Shannon, finance director for Henderson County Public Schools for the last 14 years, says she's ready to put down her spreadsheets and travel the world a bit with her husband when she retires later this month.</p><p>Describing her husband, Gary Droghini, as an Italian French-Canadian from Montreal, Canada, Shannon says she's been working hard to learn French in anticipation of a trip to Canada once she hands over the financial reigns to her replacement, incoming Finance Director Bernie Sochia.</p><p>Shannon and her husband, a talent and development manager at Coats North America in Laurel Park, also are looking forward to a trip to Ireland in 2014, where they honeymooned 10 years ago. </p><p>“I've had a lot of good moments over the years,” Shannon said about working in the school system. “I just appreciate being able to have the opportunity to do something for the students and teachers.”</p><p>Assistant Superintendent Bill Parker said Shannon is “a quality person who is very capable in her job” and “doesn't shy away from difficult tasks, always keeping the students' best interest in front of all decisions. She also is quite the stage actress which, at times, kept those of us around her entertained.”</p><p>She is “capable, contentious, trustworthy (and) candid,” Parker added. “She has managed Henderson County Public Schools' finances impeccably.”</p><p>It can be difficult to maintain a connection with teachers and students as an employee who's not involved in the day-to-day operations at any particular school, but instead is responsible for the finances of the district as a whole, operating from the central office on 4th Avenue in Hendersonville. </p><p>For that reason, “When the school board has its visits to the schools (every month) — those times give me a lift,” Shannon said. “Those are the high spots.” </p><p>During school visits, Shannon can see the results of her hard work on the faces of teachers and children.</p><p>“We try not to get ourselves too removed from the students and teachers,” she said. “They are our ultimate customers, but sometimes it's like trying to see the forest through the trees.”</p><p>Shannon said the 2010-11 school year was particularly hard from a financial standpoint, when the county requested that schools cut their budgets by 7.5 percent.</p><p>“It was tough,” she said. “But one of the things I am most proud of is that we were able to save teachers' jobs, despite the fact that 80 percent of our budget goes to salaries and benefits. We have managed our budget so that we have had very few layoffs compared with other school systems. We were careful with our money and were able to use the state funds in the most efficient manner possible, to conserve local funds. I'm proud of that.</p><p>“For the amount of local funds spent on public education in Henderson County, the taxpayers are getting a big bang for their buck, in my opinion,” Shannon added. “I am amazed at the professionalism, work ethic and dedication of our teachers, administrators and support staff at Henderson County Public Schools.”</p><p>Originally from Kentucky, Shannon came to North Carolina to attend Wake Forest University. </p><p>“I liked it so much, I stayed,” she said. “I lived in Winston-Salem for about 19 years, then, after a few years in Fayetteville, moved to Western North Carolina in 1995.”</p><p>Shannon said she's always had an affinity for finance.</p><p>“I suppose I have always been good at numbers and I must admit that I really enjoy working with them,” she said. “In a world that is so full of grey areas, to me numbers are always black and white and never lie to you. I find that comforting.”</p><p>Superintendent David Jones said Shannon always wants to “make sure that everything is done correctly and that appropriate resources are provided for the benefit of our students. She has worked to ensure that we make the most out of the funds we have received” from the state. </p><p>“It has been wonderful working with Kerry,” he added. “She is a great finance officer, but she is also a great person who has a delightful personality.”</p><p>Jones said Shannon is “a perfectionist. She wants to make sure that everything is done correctly and that appropriate resources are provided for the benefit of our students... She has been a very valuable employee and her contributions have helped our school district be recognized as one of the best in the state of North Carolina.”</p><p>As for Shannon's future, in addition to travel she plans to focus on her biggest hobby: acting.</p><p>“I began acting in high school at the Jenny Wiley Theatre, a professional theater in my hometown of Prestonsburg, Ky.,” she said. “Since moving to Western North Carolina, I've appeared in several productions, mainly in Asheville at the Asheville Community Threatre, but also in Hendersonville at the Hendersonville Little Theatre and the Grace Centre.”</p><p>Shannon also plans to spend more time with her husband and two stepsons — Richard, 21, who just finished his junior year at Vanderbilt University, and Matthew, 18, who will be starting his freshman year at the University of South Carolina this fall. Shannon met her husband 13 years ago while attending the Vision Henderson County leadership development program.</p><p>After being diagnosed with breast cancer in late 2010 and undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments, Shannon said she is “doing great” now.</p><p>“But going through something like that gives you a new perspective and makes you realize how precious each day is,” she said. “So I decided it was time to start concentrating on other things besides work... I'm feeling really good. I'm trying to enjoy life.”</p>